Question

Ethyne reacts with chlorine gas in presence of a catalyst to give (1) lewisite (2) vinyl chloride (3) westron (4) westrosol

Short answer

The product formed is vinyl chloride.

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Reaction

Ethyne (acetylene) reacts with chlorine gas. This reaction can proceed differently depending on the conditions and catalysts involved.

- Identify Possible Products

The potential products listed are lewisite, vinyl chloride, westron, and westrosol. Each of these compounds has a different structure and formation pathway.

- Evaluate the Conditions

In this context, the presence of a catalyst plays a crucial role. Knowing that specific catalysts can direct the reaction to form certain products is essential for solving the problem.

- Research Product Formation

Investigate how ethyne reacts with chlorine in the presence of common catalysts. For example, vinyl chloride is commonly formed when ethyne reacts with hydrochloric acid in the presence of a mercuric chloride catalyst.

- Analyze each Option

Compare each product option's formation pathway with the given reaction conditions:

- Select the Correct Product

Given the reaction conditions, the most likely product formed from ethyne and chlorine gas in the presence of a catalyst is vinyl chloride.

Key concepts

Catalyst in Chemical Reactions

In chemical reactions, catalysts are substances that speed up the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process. They achieve this by lowering the activation energy, which is the energy barrier that must be overcome for the reaction to proceed. Without a catalyst, some reactions would occur too slowly or would need higher temperatures to proceed efficiently. Catalysts are crucial in both industrial and laboratory reactions because they allow for specific product formation under milder conditions. For example, in the reaction between ethyne (acetylene) and chlorine gas, the presence of a catalyst aids in selectively producing vinyl chloride rather than other potential products. This selective production is vital in synthesizing specific compounds needed for various applications.

Vinyl Chloride Synthesis

Vinyl chloride is an important industrial chemical used as a precursor for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The synthesis of vinyl chloride typically involves the reaction of ethyne with hydrogen chloride in the presence of a mercuric chloride catalyst. The reaction proceeds as follows:

\[ C_2H_2 + HCl \xrightarrow{HgCl_2} C_2H_3Cl\ \]

In this process, ethyne (C₂H₂) reacts with hydrogen chloride (HCl) in the presence of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) to form vinyl chloride (C₂H₃Cl). This catalytic hydrogenation is highly selective, ensuring that the desired product, vinyl chloride, is obtained efficiently. In a typical ethyne and chlorine reaction scenario, considering the catalyst used is crucial. The specific pathways and the desired product hinge upon the catalyst’s role in directing the reaction.

Chemical Reaction Pathways

Chemical reaction pathways are the routes by which reactants are transformed into products. Understanding these pathways is essential for predicting and controlling the outcome of chemical reactions. Various factors influence the pathway a reaction follows, including:

• The nature of reactants
• Reaction conditions (temperature, pressure)
• The presence of catalysts

In the example of ethyne reacting with chlorine gas, multiple products like lewisite, vinyl chloride, westron, and westrosol are possible. The pathway leading to vinyl chloride is particularly significant because it is directed by specific conditions, such as the use of mercuric chloride catalyst. By scrutinizing each potential pathway and the conditions favorable for specific product formation, chemists can predict and obtain the desired product efficiently. This approach is fundamentally important in both research and industrial synthesis to ensure the right product is formed sustainably and economically.